Foodie friends, listen up! There’s a host of new restaurant openings and special menu promotions happening in October, so get to work chomping away with this month’s Food News Flash! Hong Kong is bringing global cuisine to your doorstep, from spicy Korean cuisine to a Venetian-themed resto to a classic steak-frites French bistro that’s guaranteed to satisfy all you carnivores! Read on for our favourite spots to sink your teeth into this month:

NEW OPENINGS

Relais de l’Entrecôte
For anyone who’s been to France, you’ll understand our over-the-top excitement when we heard word of the arrival of iconic French steakhouse le “Relais de l’Entrecôte” to our doorstep! Steak-frites (steak and fries, that is!) is one of the most classic French bistro favs and this well-known steakhouse does it to perfection. There’s really only one thing on the menu here, so it’s really a no-brainer – just make sure you go with a hungry appetite and get ready to be transported straight to the streets of Paris! Stay tuned for our review, coming soon.

School FoodThe Korean cuisine craze continues to make its mark with the opening of School Food’s fourth outlet in Kowloon Bay. Mira Dining’s kooky concept introduces Korean food with a fun and interesting take that’s guaranteed to get the little ones excited, too! Situated at Telford Plaza I, the newest outlet offers tasty traditional dishes such as bibimbap and buckwheat naengmyeon, while also serving up a few novelty items such as curry chicken mari and squid ink omelet rice. Prices are wallet-friendly, and with the trendy and fun decor, this is sure to become one of your favourite casual spots to chow down on bulgoghi and bibimbap!

Sepa
New restaurant Sepa is bringing a taste of Venice to the heart of Hong Kong, and we’ve heard great things already! This Venetian ‘bacaro’ serves up traditional small plates – or ‘cicchetti’ – on its varied menu, from beetroot and tuna tartare to salted codfish to fried croquettes, along with a variety of tasty cocktails. We love the beautiful space, concept and menu that’s great for sharing, so bring along your loved ones and get whisked off to Europe for the night!

Assembly Gastrobar
Privé Group has expanded over to TST’s Knutsford Terrace with the opening of Assembly Gastrobar, a down-home comfort food eatery serving up shared tapas plates including Southern Baby Back Pork Ribs, Linguine Vongole, and Asian-inspired Slow Braised Pork Belly. In true Privé Group style, drinks are amply highlighted on the menu, with tasty tipples including their signature Assembly Lemonade made with lemon juice, lemongrass syrup, lime and mint.

TOWN
Celebrity chef Bryan Nagao’s new dining concept TOWN is all about bringing a social dining experience to Hong Kong with a crossover of cultures and cuisines. With stunning plating, the dishes at TOWN showcase ingredients from France, Italy, Japan and Hawaii, along with locally produced vegetables. Signature dishes include Sicilian Red Prawn Carpaccio, Black Truffle Caviar, House-made Black Ink Udon and Suckling Pig… we’re thinking this would make the perfect date night, mamas!

FoFo
If you’re an el willy fan, you’ll be excited to hear that FoFo is re-opening in the heart of Central! The newly revamped resto a host of new Spanish-inspire culinary creations by renowned chef Willy Trullas Moreno and Head Chef Alex Fargas. Tasty tapas on the menu include fresh oyster with lime and granita, lobster croquettes, piquillo peppers stuffed with cod fish mousse and smoked duck breast with roasted eggplant… our mouths are watering already! Of course, the restaurant will also offer a range of delectable cocktails, including a ‘green martini’ that sounds like a must-try!

Schragels
Is there anything better than a freshly-baked bagel slathered with cream cheese and smoked salmon? We think not! New bagel shop Schragels is bringing our favourite carb-heavy food to Hong Kong breakfast tables and we’re just hoping our waistlines can keep up! Schragels delivers fresh-baked bagels to homes and offices, starting at $25 for one and $370 for a dozen with a variety of spreads. They have poppyseed, onion, plain bagels and more, with extra spread-ons including smoked salmon, cream cheese and onion dip. Bring on the bagels!

The Old Hangar
If you’re hanging around the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and getting the munchies, check out new resto The Old Hangar which serves up comforting Western fare in a cosy, industrial-style space. The restaurant is headed by Jeremy, an auditor-turned-chef who studied at Le Cordon Bleu and is now bringing his cooking expertise to his third venture in Hong Kong. The Old Hangar serves up everything from salads to risottos to rib-eye steaks and pasta – true comfort food in a relaxing atmosphere!

ISOLA Bar & Grill
Ok, so it’s not a new opening, but one of our favourite fine dining Italian restos, Isola, has had a renovation and is unveiling its new look this October! We can’t wait to check out the new interior and of course, enjoy some of their exquisite Italian fare. Oh, and we can’t forget the stunning view of the harbour too!

CaliMex
If you’re a fan of tacos and tortillas, you’ll be happy to hear that CaliMex recently launched FOUR new locations across Hong Kong Island, in Central, Wan Chai, Quarry Bay and LKF. The American-style Mexican food served here is hearty and flavourful, featuring imported ingredients from Australia and New Zealand. Our favourites include the barbacoa beef tacos and the chicken quesadillas. They also have plenty of veggie-friendly options here, including a tasty mixed vegetable salad that more than makes up for the missing meat. If you’re in the Sheung Wan area, stay tuned for their 5th shop opening later this month on Wing Lok Street!

Pausa
Ship Street in Wanchai has just welcomed a tantalising taste of Italy, and we can’t wait to try it! Pausa incorporates authentic, sourced ingredients into traditional Italian favourites such as handmade pasta made from natural durum wheat, pizza, focaccia and our favourite – gelato! Prices are affordable and pizza are served ‘al taglio’, or by the cut, so you can pay for the perfect portion for your appetite.

NEW PROMOTIONS

AMMO Hairy Crab PastaIt’s that time of the year again – yep, it’s hairy crab season and this local delicacy is taking over all the kitchens of Hong Kong! AMMO at the Asia Society is the perfect place to sample this yearly seafood treat, as they’ll be serving up a delectable dish, AMMO’s Tagliolini with Hairy Crab and Moscato ($289). The homemade pasta is complemented by an authentic Italian sauce, mixing this typically Asian ingredients with Western flavours… delish! Available until 14 December.

Shanghai Lo Hairy Crab
Looking for more Hairy Crab delights? Get the best traditional fare with the Hairy Crab Roe Set Menu at Shanghai Lo. This swish Chinese resto is the perfect place to get stuck into a feast of this seasonal seafood. The appetiser platter includes their signature Tea Smoked Egg, Garlic Cucumber and Crispy Bean Curd Sheet Rolled with Mushrooms, which is followed by four main dishes that all incorporate the creamy crab roe. Tuck in to Braised Bean-curd with Hairy Crab Roe, Crispy Rice with Hairy Crab Roe, Sautéed Bean Sheets with Hairy Crab Roe or try something different with the Lasagna with Hairy Crab Roe. The set menu is $498 per person and also includes Dim Sum, desserts and soup. Now that’s a good dose of Hairy Crab!

The Lounge of Four Seasons x LanvinWe can’t deny our love of afternoon teas (see our ultimate afternoon tea roundup here), which is why we had to share the news of a brand new, exclusive afternoon tea this October. From only the 16-17 October, you can enjoy a very stylish afternoon tea at the swanky Four Seasons, inspired by high-end fashion label, Lanvin. While you munch on bites of sweet deliciousness, enjoy a sneak peek of Lanvin’s Fall/Winter collection as The Lounge is transformed into a mini-runway. Spaces are limited so make sure you book a reservation ASAP for this fusion of fashion and food. The tea is from 3-5pm and is priced at $988 for two (including a glass of rosé champagne… perfect!).

The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgewood
As if one new and exciting afternoon tea wasn’t enough, The Langham have also launched an afternoon tea to celebrate the re-opening of its Palm Court. Using Wedgewood tea ware and teas, this is sure to be one fine, British afternoon tea – oh and we can’t forget the scrumptious and exclusive pastries, cakes, scones and desserts from Chef Reinhard Lackner! Expect Rose-scented Lychee Mousse, Blueberry Crumble and a Crispy Raspberry éclair… all pretty enough to match the Wedgewood tea ware! Go all out with a glass of Veuve Clicquot NV and a pre-appetiser for $428 for one and $698 for two. A standard Afternoon Tea will also be available at $298 for one person and $498 for two people.

The Envoy Afternoon TeaIn other afternoon tea news, one of our favourite bars, The Envoy, at the very lovely Pottinger hotel, has started serving up this favourite HK dining experience. With five sweets and four savouries, including Jouer macarons and rose financiers, this is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. At $498 per person, the afternoon tea also comes with tea or coffee (of course!) and if you’re feeling cheeky, why not try one of their awesome cocktails?

Beef & Liberty Mangalica BurgerAre you a bit of a burger fanatic? Then you’ve got to try Beef & Liberty’s brand new, delicious Mangalica Burger. Made with melt-in-the-mouth Mangalica Pork, there will only be 11 of these burgers available from Monday-Thursday, and only 22 available from Friday-Sunday… talk about exclusive! Served with Beef & Liberty’s signature buns, Mizuna leaves, crispy Pancetta and refreshing Apple Slaw – trust us, it will be worth the $150 you’ll need to shell out for it. Get there quick to avoid disappointment and get ready to indulge in a seriously rich, pork patty.

Le Bistro Winebeast Autumn Menu
If you haven’t checked out this cute little French bistro (set up by the experts at Winebeast), then get over there now! This cosy space serves up simply delicious french fare and of course, a great selection of wines. Why not check out their new October/November menu which includes dishes such as Duck Confit with pan-fried fruit ($188) and Beef Bavette caramelised in balsamic vinegar ($198), to name just a couple. The new menu lasts until 15 November – it’s the perfect opportunity to try this new Wan Chai resto… bon appétit!

Four Colours RisottoWe recently tried the new risotto menu at Italian neighbourhood bistro Opera House, and it’s definitely a must-try! The four different risottos are a tribute to four different regions in Italy and while vastly different, are all tried-and-true delicious! Our favourite had to be the black ink risotto with Sicilian prawns, but we also had to give the chef props for creating a strawberry-flavoured risotto that is surprisingly tasty. Check out our Date Night review of Opera House here!

Barg
Meat eaters, listen up: New eatery Barg is here to satisfy all your primal cravings with Tomahawk steak set menus for dinner, available from now until Christmas! Situated next to Times Square, Barg is a great spot to wine and dine away from the buzz of Central. Bring along a few friends, as you’ll need all the help you can get too to devour their Tomahawk menu, which comes in a set for two or for four and includes a giant portion of char-grilled Australian rib-eye accompanied by a spread of fresh seafood, salads, and of course – fancy vino!

Doppio Zero Crudo & Sake night
Love seafood? Love sake? Well we’ve found the perfect foodie event for you. Doppio Zero are hosting a one-night only Crudo & Sake night in partnership with JBrewhouse.com. Head over to the Italian resto on Thursday 17 October at 7pm to indulge in this feast of crudo (raw delicacies)… think Baby Tiger Shrimp with Preserved Lemon, Arugula, Green Chillies and Crostini, Hamachi al Cartoccio – Sicilian Style and Pink Snapper with Shaved Salted Duck Egg and Candied Tomato Bits to name but a few dishes. Accompanied with three top-quality sakes, this will be an epic meal to remember…

WHISK Wild Game menuThis October, WHISK at The Mira has got game – literally! They’ve put together a hearty wild game menu, with all ingredients sourced from Rhug Estate farm in the UK. The ethical and sustainable wild game is packed with flavour, and you know these lean and rich meats will taste divine. Start with the Wild Fellow Deer Tartare with Black Currant and Wild Herbs ($260) or Wild Red Deer Ham with Wild Herbs, Cranberries and Pickled Onions ($280) and indulge in either Wild Roe Deer Saddle for two ($1,040) or Wild Whole Pigeon on Hay ($380). We can’t wait to try these delicious seasonal dishes…

Libertine Happy Hour
Tired from browsing all those quirky designs at PMQ? Head across the street to Libertine for their fabulous ‘Liberation Libations’ happy hour promotion! Every day from 4-8pm you can enjoy free-flow drinks for $188 per person at this convenient location, or if your a seafood lover you might love the accompanying ‘Oyster Happy Hour’ which offers fresh oysters on a half shelf for $12 per piece. This is the ideal casual little French eatery to unwind after work or for some afternoon sundowners. See you there!

About the bloggers

Lauren, Editor of Sassy Hong Kong
Hi, I’m Lauren and I was born and raised right here in Hong Kong. That being said, with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed mum from England and a Chinese-Australian father, I would definitely say that I grew up as a third culture kid! I love every part of this city and all its many contrasts; from the green of the country parks (and the scary monkeys…) to the shimmery lights of the skyline – it never gets old. I’ve always loved to travel and living here is such a privilege as we’re so close to so many incredible countries and different cultures. I’ve always got a bad case of wanderlust and I’m constantly on the look out for an adventure… here’s to my new adventure at Sassy!

Favourite things about Hong Kong:
Impossible to choose only a few things, but I’ve done my best! I love the energy of the city and how there is always something to do. Public transport is a dream – I love taking the tram and hearing the little ‘ding ding’, sailing across the harbour on the $2 Star Ferry and ‘dooting’ my Octopus on the super efficient MTR. I love going hiking in the hills five minutes from my flat, always being close to the sea, summer junk trips with friends, dim sum Sundays with the family and a couple of cocktails never go amiss (or a couple of free ‘champagnes’ on the Carnegies bar).

Leslie, Editor of Sassy Mama Hong Kong

This is my first year in Hong Kong and I’m beginning to see why so many call Hong Kong their favourite city in the world! After obtaining my masters in journalism at Columbia University and working a short stint at Condé Nast in NYC, I’ve spent the past two years writing for a parenting magazine in Shanghai and can’t wait to bring that mama-expertise to Sassy Mama HK! I love everything kid-related and look forward to pounding the pavement in search of the city’s best family-friendly shopping, dining, travel, arts and entertainment options to share with Sassy’s amazing mom community (not to mention the occasional cupcake tasting or pizza-making party!)